Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 27th May 2020
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Vaccine uptake project receives funding boost
"It is essential that we understand the reasons for vaccine hesitancy in the UK" - Dr Gina Pinchbeck.

Researchers to investigate vaccine hesitancy in the UK's pet population.

The Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) has been awarded £50,000 from PetSavers – the charitable arm of the BSAVA – to develop strategies to improve vaccine uptake in companion animals.

The University of Liverpool-based project, A mixed-methods approach to quantifying and characterising vaccine uptake and vaccine hesitancy in UK companion animals, will combine quantitative analysis of existing data from electronic health records with qualitative approaches.

It will involve focus-group discussions and interviews with vets and owners to gain an in-depth understanding of patterns of uptake of vaccination in the UK. Researchers also aim to investigate the perceptions and behaviours around the uptake of vaccination and the rise of vaccine hesitancy.

The funding will be matched by the University of Liverpool, and potential PhD students are invited to submit applications to work with the researchers.

Project lead Dr Gina Pinchbeck commented: “Vaccination is a vital component of preventive healthcare and it is well acknowledged that sub-optimal vaccination uptake may be associated with re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases in populations.

It is essential that we understand the reasons for vaccine hesitancy in the pet population so that we can use the best methods to promote vaccine acceptance and uptake and this will be the primary focus of the study.”

SAVSNET maintains an ongoing collaboration with the BSAVA to harness electronic health and environmental data for rapid and actionable research and surveillance.

This latest project comes in response to the declining rates of pet vaccination. According to research conducted by the PDSA in 2017, only 75 per cent of dogs had received a primary vaccination course when young, and a further fall was noted by the charity in 2019 (72 per cent).

BSAVA president Professor Ian Ramsey added: “This project will be of great value to the veterinary profession and continues the co-operation between BSAVA and the University of Liverpool to build on the successes of the original SAVSNET partnership.”

For information on how to apply for the PhD, contact Dr Gina Pinchbeck (ginap@liverpool.ac.uk) or visit findaphd.com

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.